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Charity Hospice has annual Remembrance Tree at Fort Steuben Mall

-- Contributed

Charity Hospice has its annual Remembrance Christmas Poinsettia Tree at the entrance near the Ville Restaurant. Cathy Cich, founder and chief executive officer of Charity Hospice, said she “just can’t believe how many compliments they receive each year regarding the poinsettia tree.” Each poinsettia will have the name(s) of a loved one whom to be remembered or honored. “The remembrance can be in memory of a loved one who has died or in honor of a living person,” Cich explained. “In fact,” Cich noted, “last year and this year, one of my very dear friends who was a part of starting Charity Hospice, sends in a donation in honor of the ‘Wonderful Staff of Charity Hospice.’ It’s also important to know that there is no requested minimum donation to have your loved one remembered with a poinsettia,” she said. “Some years, we have had people who could give no more than a dollar. Every person has value and worth, and they are priceless to the persons that they have touched,” she said. There are forms at the tree that people can pick up and mail in. The tree was put up the Monday after Thanksgiving and will be up until the new year. “If you are out at the mall, please stop by and take a moment to look at the names on the tree. We are such a small community that I am sure when you read the names, you will pause and remember many people whose lives have touched ours,” Cich said. Staff at the tree include, from left, Sandy Eddy, registered nurse; Nikkole Lindamood, registered nurse, clinical manager; Jerry Jo Gilham; Carrie Rice, registered nurse; Maryann Gaudio, medical social worker; Amy Svokas, registered nurse; and Michelle Whanger, Darlene McCleary and Becki Fowler, hospice aides. Cich also expressed gratitude for the help of social worker Mary Ann Reese and husband Don; Carl Stasiulewicz; Don Redmond; volunteer Denise Franckhauser; and Diane Wasco, executive assistant and volunteer coordinator.

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